thepromifesofperfeverance,&c. 1 281 ance to believe the obtaining of that which Chrift bath s iohn.5.:4. prayed for, and the faithfuh aske ofGod in the Nameof Chrift accorc mg tohis will. The fervantsof Chrift who li- ved by the like pretious faith withus, grounded upon the faineprotnifes,& fubjell tothe fametemptations,believed their perfeverance, Iamperfwaded, that neither death, nor life,nor Angels,nor principalities,nor powers,nor thingspre- lent, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature,!bat' be able tofeperate from the love ofGod,which is in Chrift Ieftts our Lord. v'ccording to mineearnefl ex- peElation,andmy hope that in nothing I'hallbe alhamed: but ( Phil, i.:o, that with all boldneffe, as alwayesfo nowalfo Chril (hall bee magnified in my body, whether it bee by life or by death. end the Lord 'hall deliver mee from every evil! worke and will preferveme unto his heavenly kingdome, to whom bee gloryfor ever andever. e4men. But whatone belie- ved upon common andordinary grounds, that is the pri- viledge of all believers which they are allowed to re- ceive. It is a great glory to God, that we live by faith on him concerning our future eflate, and relie upon his grace,that in all encounters we 'hall be more then Conquerours, through him that lovedtu, For this is to take God tobe our God, not onely toput our confidence inhim in pro- fperity and adverfity, when wehave meanes, or meanes be wanting, for our foulesand bodies : but alfo to relie uponhim, that he will make us walke inhis Commande- ments, and put his feare in our hearts, that we fhall not depart from him ; that he will perfedhis workebegun in us, finifh our faith,andpreferveus unto his everlafting kingdome. This faith doth give unto God the praifeof all grace whichhe is pleafed to betow,andofall worker ofgrace which he effec`fethby us. He that relieth upon the goodufe ofhis free-will, mull necef arily afcribe the praife of his perfeverance in part, ifnotprincipally, unto himfelfe : but he that refleth upon the Lord for eflablifh- I ment again'{ all fpirituall enemies, and ability unto eve- 3 ry Rcm.B,t 8,39 sTim.3.t 8,
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